Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell SUV revealed at CES 2018

Hyundai’s Nexo fuel cell SUV was revealed this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), anticipating a launch in some markets later this year.

As a specific replacement for the previous-generation Tucson (ix35) FCEV, the Nexo brings not only a more powerful and efficient hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, but also the company’s latest driver assistance technology.

In terms of design, the Nexo is largely identical to the near-production vehicle that saw it in August, with a futuristic look inspired by the 2017 FE concept revealed at the Geneva Motor Show last year.

The powertrain details of the production car still need to be detailed, but we expect the Nexo to be faster than the outgoing FCEV ix35.

In terms of range, Hyundai targets 370 miles (595 km) based on the Korean test standard. However, Hyundai Australia has already confirmed with CarAdvice that the use of the European standard, on which ours is based, allows us to hope for an autonomy of more than 800 kilometers.

Headlining, however, is Nexo’s next-generation driver assistance systems, many of which are a first for the Hyundai brand.

The first of these technologies is the Blind View Monitor, which displays the rear and side view of the vehicle when changing lanes in either direction – presumably projected on the on-board infotainment display.

While it’s a similar concept to Honda’s Lane Watch camera – available on models such as the Civic – the Hyundai version is considered a “first in the industry” as it covers two sides of the vehicle.

The second is lane-tracking assistance, which keeps the Nexo centered in a 0 to 90 mph (0-145km / h) lane on freeways and city streets. The technology becomes essentially a semi-autonomous mode when combined with roadside assistance, using map data and sensor information to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane while adjusting speed accordingly .

Intelligent remote parking assistance is another novelty for Hyundai, which debuts on the Nexo, allowing the vehicle to park independently or recover from a parking space or a garage without a driver.

Like the BMW self-parking system on the new 5 Series, owners can tell their Nexo to retreat into a perpendicular space by standing outside the vehicle and pressing a button on the key ring .

Finally, there is a smart personal cockpit, although there are still no pictures of the interior to show this system at work.

Connected vehicle technology uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IOT) to supplement controls and functions via voice control, allowing the driver to adjust the cabin temperature or open the door. sunroof. activate / deactivate their connected home or play the song they play in the vehicle via the home audio system.

Hyundai says that its smart personal cockpit can accomplish several commands at a time, using the driver’s example asking “tell me what the weather is tomorrow and turn off the lights in our living room”, the system can recognize two separate tasks and the complete .

Finally, the system acts as a proactive personal assistant, using sensors on the steering wheel and the driver’s seat to monitor heart rate and stress levels.

If the vehicle detects that the driver is stressed, Hyundai says that Nexo’s smart personal cockpit can provide access to an online visual consultation with a doctor or play a soothing playlist and dim the cabin lighting for a more driving experience. soothing.

While the Nexo will not be accessible to the general public in Australia – due to our lack of infrastructure for hydrogen powered vehicles – Hyundai’s local branch has secured a fleet of 20 units for the ACT government in the Hornsdale Wind Farm project.